Kennewick, WA – Tri-City Americans' Governor/General Manager Bob Tory announced today that 16-year-olds Ty Comrie and Parker Wotherspoon have been named to Team Pacific, and Braden Purtill to Team West for the upcoming 2014 World Under-17 Hockey Challenge, set for December 29, 2013 through January 4, 2014 in Cape Brenton, Nova Scotia.

Comrie, a 5’11 150 lb. center from Edmonton, Alberta/Newport Beach, California, is in the midst of his rookie season with the Americans, appearing in 22 of Tri-City’s 23 games this season, collecting 2 goals, 4 points and 4 penalty minutes. Selected in the 3rd round (61st overall) by Tri-City in the 2012 Bantam Draft, Comrie spent last season with the L.A. Jr. Kings (Tier 1 - Elite), totaling 23 goals and 49 points in 35 games. Ty is the younger brother of current Americans’ goaltender, Eric Comrie, who played for Team Pacific in the 2012 Hockey Challenge.

Wotherspoon, a 1st round (21st overall) pick by Tri-City in the 2012 Bantam Draft, is also in the midst of his first WHL season. The 6’0 170 lb. defenseman from Surrey, British Columbia, has appeared in 21 games this season, picking up 2 assists and 18 penalty minutes. The younger brother of former Portland Winterhawks defenseman, Tyler Wotherspoon, Parker spent last season with the Valley West Hawks of the British Columbia Minor Midget Hockey League, recording 3 goals and 22 points in 37 games.

Purtill, a 6’0 185 lb. left wing from Winnipeg, Manitoba, was a 3rd round (46th overall) pick by Tri-City in the 2012 Bantam Draft and is in the midst of his first WHL campaign. Purtill has played in 20 games this season, registering 2 goals, 4 points and 13 penalty minutes. Last season, Purtill was a member of the Winnipeg Thrashers of the Manitoba Midget Hockey League, appearing in 41 games, while totaling 10 goals, 30 points and 22 penalty minutes.

“We are pleased and honored that our players will represent their region in this prestigious tournament,” expressed Tory. “This experience, playing against the top players in their age group in the world, will help them develop that much quicker. Congratulations are certainly in order for both Ty and Parker.”

The World U-17 Hockey Challenge Tournament is the first step in Hockey Canada’s Program of Excellence that continues at the national level with the Under-18 Team and National Junior Team.

On the ice, the Americans prepare for a doubleheader weekend, as they host the visiting Regina Pats on Friday at the Toyota Center, before taking on the Vancouver Giants at Pacific Coliseum on Saturday. Game time in Kennewick is 7:05 p.m. Tickets are available at all Ticketmaster outlets, including the Toyota Center box office, all Fred Meyer outlets, or online at ticketmaster.com.

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